Gervonta Davis produced a sensational display to stop Liam Walsh in the third round and retain his IBF World super featherweight title to further justify the hype from his mentor Floyd Mayweather as a future superstar.

Walsh bemoaned the stoppage, insisting it was premature but Davis imposed his sheer force from the first bell.

‘The Tank’ began by pushing a jab down to Walsh’s body and followed it up with a series of powerful combinations.

The Brit came out in the second with more purpose though, showing plenty of looks in a change of stance to orthodox, pumping out a jab.

Davis brilliantly spun Walsh late in the round though and landed another powerful left.

Liam Walsh and Gervonta Davis trade blows (Image: PA)

Gervonta Davis celebrates after winning the fight (Image: REUTERS)

Floyd Mayweather watches on (Image: REUTERS)

Signs of the Mayweather bravado emerged in the third round when Davis took 30 seconds to look at his opponent and bark trash talk.

The Baltimore fighter then traded the slick movement for thudding power shots and landed several heavy blows that sent Walsh to the canvas.

The Norfolk-based fighter bravely got back up before Davis pinned him to the ropes and unleashed more brutal hooks to force the referee to wave the fight off amidst a chorus of boos.

Davis’ future looks even more promising as he continues his impressive rise to the top of the sport and a clash with pound-for-pound superstar Vasyl Lomachenko down the road is now even more intriguing.

Gervonta Davis celebrates (Image: REUTERS)

Gervonta Davis celebrates with Floyd Mayweather J (Image: REUTERS)

After the fight, he said: "Tonight we were in the groove. I think he was hurt pretty bad. The ref did his job – it was just a matter of time. I used my boxing IQ tonight and picked my shots, and when I picked my shots I got him out of there.

“I’m still on the rise. I became a champion super-fast, but I’m still rising and there’s more to come.

“A great fighter listens to his trainer and his corner. And I’m learning from one of the best ever.”